Animal models of hypertension and concurrent organs injury.

Abstract

Although hypertension is a frequently seen chronic condition across the world, its exact cause remains unclear. Animal models are beneficial for clarifying the pathogenic mechanism of hypertension and examining new treatments. An optimal animal model for studies on hypertension must well mimic human-like hemodynamics and pathophysiological structural modification, showing human disease features and complications timely or even ahead of time. A review of the most frequently used hypertensive animal models available, including small and large animals, induced and genetic models, would provide an insight into the appropriate targets to be addressed in the development of different hypertensive animal models. Another focus of the review are the processes of target-organs injury caused by high blood pressure, which mainly influences human health.